New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah pulled up the new Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy after the latter sparked a controversy on the very first day in office as he called Hyderabad a “safe terror zone”.

Reddy’s remark drew strong objection and criticism from AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.

Reddy who is an MP from Secunderabad, had said on Friday that any terror incident in the country would have a link to Hyderabad. Later, Reddy also asserted that he did not say anything wrong.

"There are places in country where terror activities are on the rise. If an incident takes place in Bengaluru or Bhopal, its roots are traced to Hyderabad. State police, NIA have arrested terrorists in Hyderabad every 2-3 months," Reddy spoke to media after assuming charge.

After Reddy’s statement went viral, Amit Shah reprimanded him for his remarks, reports said, though, it wasn’t known what exactly Shah told Reddy,

"I would like to ask him (Reddy) that in the last five years, how many times did NIA, IB and RAW gave in writing that Hyderabad is a safe zone for terror? It is unfortunate that he is saying such things," Owaisi said, terming the minister's statement "irresponsible".

Owaisi alleged the BJP of fostering hatred for Muslims and targeting them, and said for the last five years, there was complete peace in Hyderabad as no communal took place in the city and all religious festivals passed off peacefully.

"An MoS speaking like this! This shows their hatred for Telangana, Hyderabad. Such irresponsible statements don't suit a minister, but we expect this from him. Wherever they see Muslims, they take them for terrorists. We can't cure them," Owaisi said.